Rare Coins : The prospect of finding hidden gems among your everyday items never get old. And though most of the spare change jingling in your pocket is worth, at best, only its face value, some coins — lying in a dust-covered jar or stowed away in a long-forgotten collection — could fetch a fortune.
This isn’t merely collector folklore; it’s the state of numismatics today, where certain coins routinely go for six figures at auctions.
The Tennessee schoolteacher Susan Wilcox never expected her grandfather’s small coin collection would change her life. “I nearly sold everything as a lot for $600,” she said.
“Then I saw something unusual with one of the pennies.” That “odd” penny — a copper cent from 1943 — went for $186,000 at auction last year.
Susan’s story plays out daily across America. Common humans find amazing value in coins they have owned for years unaware of their worth. Today’s article uncovers six rare coins that could be lurking in your collection right now, worth as high as $201,500.
The Holy Grail: 1913 Liberty Head Nickel ($4.2 Million)
Although this coin blows way past our $201,500 headline figure, it is a legend in its own right and deserves mention. It ranks among the rarest of American coins, with just five examples. These nickels were never approved for production — they basically shouldn’t exist.
The remarkable aspect? A family in Virginia, who had the coin in their possession for decades, discovered its value when one 1913 Liberty Head Nickel was found to not be identified.
Although you would be in equal parts extremely unlucky and extraordinarily lucky to find one, it might be worth your time to check any Liberty Head nickels you find — and particularly noticed the date on any 1913 Liberty Head nickels, of which seized examples would break into six-figure territory even if the coin was mangled.
“The nice thing about rare coins is that they often lie in plain sight,” says the coin appraiser James Thornton. “I’ve looked at collections where the owners had no idea they were sitting on small fortunes.”
1943 Copper Penny ($201,500)
And so during World War II — with copper desperately needed for the war effort — the government decided it would require scrap yards to sell copper and other metals before iron or aluminum.
The U.S. Mint transitioned to zinc-coated steel pennies in 1943, but a few copper blanks made their way through the production process by mistake.
But these errors produced what many believe to be the most valuable Lincoln cents ever minted. A 1943 copper penny sold at auction in 2019 for $201,500. They are numismatic gold, with less than 20 confirmed examples known.
To check your collection:
Check for any 1943 pennies that have a copper fringe (not the silvery steel ones)
Test with a magnet — real copper pennies will not stick
Look at using a magnifying glass for real mint marks for as well as whether or not the weight is right
That’s what Dallas postal worker Frank Carter found in a roll of pennies in 1957. “It was obviously copper, and I had learned that steel pennies were made that year, so I was instantly interested in the copper one,” he wrote in his memoir. It paid for his children’s college education.
1894-S Barber Dime ( $ 1.9 million)
Just 24 dimes of this type were minted, and perhaps nine still exist today. The full-value specimens sell for millions, but even heavily circulated examples (assuming they could get authenticated) would be well above the $100,000 mark.
Local coin dealer Martha Reeves explains: “Most people inherit collections and don’t know what they have. One time, a woman brought in what she claimed was ‘old dimes’ at face value. One, a poorly-preserved 1894-S, still fetched her $67,000.”
The legendary tale of how these dimes came to be centers on San Francisco Mint Superintendent John Daggett, who allegedly had a small number struck for his banker pals — giving three to his young daughter, with orders to put them away. One of them, it is reported, she spent on ice cream, a lavish treat indeed.
1955 Doubled Die Penny ($17,000)
Plenty more scarce, the 1955 Doubled Die Penny has noticeable doubling in its lettering and date — even with the naked eye. About 20,000 made it into circulation before the error was discovered, making this a treasure that could conceivably turn up in pocket change decades ago.
“The doubling is most pronounced on the words ‘LIBERTY’ and ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’” says numismatist Dr. Thomas Reynolds. “This valuable mistake can be identified by just about anyone with a simple magnifying glass.”
Recent auction prices start around $1,000 for examples with wear, up to $17,000+ for uncirculated specimens. Robert Jenkins, a construction worker from Michigan, discovered one in his father’s hoard last year:
“Dad had kept it because it was ‘funny looking.’ That funny-looking penny now is helping pay for my daughter’s braces.”
1970-S Small Date Lincoln Cent with Doubled Die Obverse ($35000)
This modern rarity shows that valuable coins aren’t just ancient history. The specific small date variety and doubled die obverse of the 1970-S penny has sold for as much as $35,000 in an example in pristine condition.
“What’s so cool about these is that they were minted in our lifetime,” says Elena Patel, a coin historian. “They’re still circulating a lot, although they’re being more and more pulled by the knowledgeable collector.
Check your pennies for:
S mint mark (struck in San Francisco)
The small date variety (notice smaller and relocated numerals)
Visible doubling, most noticeably in “LIBERTY” and the date
1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime($10,000+)
Even some coins minted in the 1980s can be worth a lot of money. Normally, the 1982 Roosevelt dime was made at three mints: Philadelphia (no mint mark); Denver (“D” mark); and San Francisco (“S” mark for proof coins). Still, some dimes struck at the Philadelphia facility worked their way out of the mint without the mandatory mint mark.
These mistakes have traded for more than $10,000 in mint shape, and flyers will bring thousands. “A lot of people think that valuable coins have to be ancient, but that’s not the case,” explains William Travis, specialist in the auction. “Errors in modern production created some of the most valuable pieces.”
How to Verify Your Set
Before you race out to sell what could be hidden treasures, take the following crucial steps:
Caution: Don’t clean coins, this wipes out value
Use appropriate magnification: A 5x-10x jeweler’s loupe helps identify features
Verify weight and dimensions: Many knockoffs have incorrect specs
Authentication: Companies like PCGS and NGC offer certification
Researched recent sales: Auction results give the best readings on value
Michael Genovese, who found a prized 1969-S doubled-die penny in a change jar, suggests waiting: “I nearly sold mine instantly to a local dealer for $5,000. After 93 days and correct authentication, it eventually realized $45,000 at specialized auction.”
The Other Five, Sooner or Later: Potential Treasures
Though this article is about six specific high-value coins, plenty of others are available at considerable premiums:
1944 Steel Penny: When the Mint returned to copper in 1944, some steel planchets were produced by mistake
1974 Aluminum Penny: These test coins were pulled back, but a few got loose
1916-D Mercury Dime: The key date of one of the most popular coins of the 20th century is a five-figure coin in any condition.
1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar: Nine are known
Errors on State Quarters: A few modern quarters (yes, quarters) with production errors are worth thousands
“The hunt is more exciting for a lot of collectors,” says Josephine Williams, who discovered a valuable error quarter in her grandmother’s button box. “You don’t know what’s hiding in plain sight.”
The Modern Hunt
Modern-day coin collectors have some advantages that earlier generations didn’t have. Digital scales that measure to 0.01 gram are available for less than $20. Excellent magnification can also be found for $50 or less. There are online resources that provide immediate identification guides.
And yet worthy coins still go unrecognized through these tools. Sometimes banks will release rolls full of treasures. Collections at estate sales often show up with unknown rarities. (Yes, even change jars have prospects.)
“Technology does help, but nothing beats knowledge and careful scrutiny,” observes the coin dealer Richard Summers. “I still examine every coin that’s in my hand. After 40 years, I’m still finding jewels.’”
The Unseen Value Of Something Other Than Money
For those who find valuable coins, the financial windfall represents just part of the experience. The historical connection, the thrill of discovery and the stories behind those miniature metallic treasures often matter just as much.
When Patricia Lopez discovered a 1955 Doubled Die penny in her late father’s workshop, the coin’s $7,000 value was less important than the connection to her dad.
“He would always check his change. Discovering this coin was sort of like a final lesson from him that we should pay attention to the details.”
Whether you’re a hardcore numismatist or just curious that old coins in your pocket may be worth something, knowledge is your best weapon in finding them.
Spend some time closely inspecting your coins. Research anything unusual. Reach out to local coin clubs or online communities.
As James Thornton says: “Every coin tells a story — about the time it was made, the people who designed the coin, and the journey it made to get to your Turn®.” “The most valuable ones are just telling stories worth a little bit more money.”